There's a lot of information out there on the internet but you've ended up here. That's great! Unless you're from a different zone than we are here in Pennsylvania. The pond industry is all weather dependent so I'd like to start by reminding you that you should always get your pond information from local contractors, as they experience the same weather conditions (and planting parameters) as you do. Make sure you know what geological area your source is writing for! In other words, Florida doesn't get snow the way that Pennsylvania do, right?

The chances are pretty high that you are installing a backyard pond so that you can house a lot of really awesome koi or goldfish as pets and you obviously don't want to have to replace them year after year. While some people choose to bring their fish inside for the winter, the bigger they get and the more they multiply the harder it is to do something of that nature successfully.

One of the most important reasons that people talk about the DEPTH of a pond is because of safely overwintering the fish and because of water clarity issues if you make the pond too deep. The freeze zone is 18" and as you can imagine, we do get enough snow and freezing temperatures in Pennsylvania that ponds here do tend to freeze. For this reason, we always recommend to dig your pond at least two feet (2' or 24") deep so that the fish can live safely underneath that freezing area, keeping in mind there are still "life support" items needed to sustain fish life under ice.

Another reason depth is talked about is when it comes to proper filtration of the pond. When using an Aquascape Pond Skimmer, it will successfully skim the top layer of the pond but anything deeper than 2.5-3 feet will need to be stirred up in order to be able to pull that water into the skimmer box for filtration. Without stirring up that deep area, water quality issues are inevitable.

While talking about how deep you'll need to dig a pond in Pennsylvania, you need to consider the need for aquatic plants---because it absolutely is a need. There are many benefits from having aquatic plants in your backyard pond in Central Pennsylvania. From providing shade to naturally filtering the water, aquatic plants all have a very specific depth that they like to be planted in in order to survive. For this reason, while we recommend digging the pond to 2 feet deep for overwintering the fish, we also always recommend digging plant SHELVES around the outside of the pond so as to not drown the plants.

Your "marginal shelf" should be dug between 0"-8" deep and your "mid-zone lilies shelf" should be dug at 12"16" before your pond drops to the 24" depth for overwintering purposes.

Click here for more Aquatic Plant Care and Benefits.

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Parrotfeather!

Parrotfeather is a semi-emergent OXYGENATING aquatic weed that is easy to care for and really helps to filter your pond’s water by sucking up nutrients from the pond while also helping to remove floating particles.

Oxygen?! Yes---much like an "anacharis" plant, parrot feather releases tiny bits of oxygen into the water. Not enough that would take the place of an air station or even enough to match what your recirculating system contributes as far as oxygen goes, but enough that your fish will be hap-hap-happy that it's in there! It may even appear like your fish are eating it!

Parrotfeather is indeed a nice looking plant choice for your water garden pond and will grow well at various depths within the pond. Did you know parrot feather plants can thrive with water up to 10” above its crown? YEP! But it also can grow in very shallow water, too. This makes the plant very versatile and popular. The depth and the size of the plant should be considered when deciding where to put the plant in the pond. For more information on planting, read our 7 Tips for Planting your Pennsylvania Koi Pond blog.

Parrotfeather is a nice green color (though there is a dwarf variety that has a red stem) and it is a soft looking plant, as well as, soft to the touch. This aquatic plant is sold at Dreamscapes Watergardens as a hardy plant, meaning it will over winter in areas that receive freezing weather and snow cover and STILL bounce back beautifully year after year.

The leaves of Parrotfeather grow along the surface of the water and can extend out 6+ feet from the plant container at maturity. This is very different from other popular aquatic plants, like Iris, that stand straight up out of the water.

To prune Parrotfeather, just pinch off the overgrowth. If you want more parrotfeather in your pond take the clippings and tuck them into some rockwork and gravel and let them grow. Fall/Winter care for this plant extends as far as cutting it back an inch or so above the water level. Not only does this help to make sure the plant is prepared to start dying back but it also ensures that it doesn't decompose into the water. Want more information on seasonal plant care in zones 5 and 6? Read our Fall Plant Care blog.

With proper management and care this is a top pick water garden plant that helps filter water through its uptake of nutrients and a great area for fish fry to hide and grow.

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania,

While flowering waterlilies are the most popular, marginal plants play a crucial role in the function, balance and beauty of a properly-conceived water garden. Without marginal plants, the water garden will look out of place and unnatural as they provide many textures, colors, and blooms that soften the edges and help blend the pond into the surrounding landscape.

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Question: Can I bring my water lettuce indoors for the winter and put them in my fish aquarium until Spring?

Answer: This is a "YES-BUT" answer.

YES, you can bring water lettuce indoors for the winter months BUT you have some things you need to consider… Water lettuce will need some pretty strong lighting to do well indoors and will need space surrounding it where it floats. It will not survive if you try to squeeze it under a tank lid or squeeze too many in at once. You would have to leave the top open and suspend your light above the tank. Given those conditions your water lettuce will probably do fairly well until Spring. If you have a working greenhouse that maintains temperatures over 70+F and great lighting, you could also keep your water lettuce in there in a shallow tub, or kiddie pool. As a reminder, water lettuce is a TROPICAL plant and enjoys alot of sun..it does NOT have a dormancy period like other aquatic plants.

Dreamscapes has a full service maintenance program that travels all over the Lebanon, Lancaster and Dauphin County areas constructing and installing pond tents. We also carry a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services koi ponds and waterfalls in the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Generally speaking, you should plan to prepare your plants for the chillier days of autumn in late September. When the days are shorter and the temperatures begin to drop giving way to the morning frost, you can be sure it is time to take action. Fall aquatic plant care also helps when trying to secure pond nets during the fall shutdown process to the waterfeature. For more information on the fall/winter shutdown process, please read our blog!

Dreamscapes keeps in stock only HARDY AQUATIC plants. So if you bought your aquatic plants at Dreamscapes Watergardens, rest assured they should come back or you in the Spring of 2018 when you start opening your pond for the season. When these plants are turning yellow and brown, it is not only a signal to stop fertilizing them, but you may consider trimming the dying foliage to about 2 inches above the water level. Semi-evergreen varieties can be left for longer interest. And the best news? You may leave these plants where they are in your pond!

Even if we don’t carry them, we can’t forget the TROPICAL MARGINAL aquatic plants. Here in our Zone 4-5 climate, we treat these plants as annuals, by replacing them each season. Keeping tropical waterlilies indoors over the winter is difficult so we advise our customers to treat them as annuals and purchase a new plant each season and to certainly remember to remove the plant entirely in the Fall so that the foliage doesn’t contribute to sludge build up after it decomposes. An alternative is to treat these tropical plants as houseplants and bring them in for the winter. They may be potted in a sealed clay pot with no drainage holes, or an ordinary pot if you add water regularly. When kept moist, the plants do well in a sunny window or sunroom.

Taking the time to properly care for your aquatic plants will mean happier and healthier plants next spring, and (in turn) a cleaner, healthier, pond ecosystem for your fish. Dreamscapes carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services koi ponds and waterfalls in the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

Here at Dreamscapes Watergardens, we get asked the same question about frogs: "how do I get my frog to stay in my backyard pond?"

Whether you're introducing frogs or tadpoles into your backyard pond on your own or if they're finding you by chance, frogs definitely add a new dimension to the pond lifestyle through sights, sounds and splishy splashy. All frogs start their lifecycle as an egg in the water but frog habitats go well beyond the pond. They're found above and below ground, above and below water, in trees, grasses, jungles, cities, numerous other combinations of habitats, and they're even invading our homes.They always stay near water, though.

Adult frogs will hunt and eat insects, worms, snails, dragonflies, mosquitoes, and grasshoppers. Larger frogs will also go after small animals like mice, snakes, birds, other frogs, small turtles, and even small sick/weak fish from our ponds if they can fit in their mouths. Healthy backyard pond fish like koi, goldfish, and orfe shouldn't be worried about.

Herons, raccoons, snakes, turtles, fox, big fish and possum (on the other hand) all want to eat frogs, while dogs and cats often play too rough with them.

Antisocial creatures, frogs are only generally seen with other frogs during breeding season. Fish love to eat the eggs which look like round, clear jelly-like clusters while toad eggs are laid in long strands. It is not unusual to find the inside of a skimmer box or lily pads covered with eggs during breeding season. As a pond owner, you don't have to do anything to help them survive--- just let Mother Nature run it's course.

To help make your frogs want to stay you need to create the right home for them.  Add aquatic plants, like grasses in the pond to hide in and lily pads (classic thought) but even rocks around the perimeter allowing the frogs to bask in the sun. Frogs are amphibious and can easily transition from skillful swimmers submerged below water to fully adept land rovers navigating around. If you have a fully shaded pond, you may have a harder time finding frogs that want to stay. Landscaping plants around the pond are ideal for when they want to hop out and explore---they make the waterfeature feel more natural for a frog. If you have a loud gushing pond with a waterfall, consider providing areas with slow water flow because frogs like quiet water, too! If you don't have koi caves already in your pond, consider how to provide some shelter within the pond with a simple clay pot. Lastly, frogs do not like the pond “too clean” because they can't blend in as well for protection. Algae here and there is OK! Frogs may get curious about what else is "out there" and hop away to check it out.

Be sure to check pond netting for the occasional frog stuck on top of the net who is trying to make his way inside. If he can't get into the pond, he has to find a home elsewhere! It is even recommended to add a 6″ deep tray of compacted soil covered with gravel mulch as a place to dig in for the winter months. If you keep your pump running over the winter, resident frogs are known to climb into pond skimmers to enjoy the warmer pocket of air inside the skimmer box. So keep your eye on the water flow because sometimes frogs get stuck and end up  clogging the pump!!

For most homeowners, Dreamscapes recommends to pull the pump over the winter and do a full pond shutdown. More information on that service can be found by checking out our waterfeature maintenance page.

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services koi ponds and waterfalls in the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania,

It is definitely spring in Central Pennsylvania when one day it is seventy degrees and sunny and the following days are bitter cold and the nights hover around freezing. This can be a tricky time to be a gardener, especially if you are an aquatic gardener--as you're awaiting growth from last year's plants and aren't sure if you lost any plants over the winter yet. You also don't want to shock new plants and lose them by adding them to your watergarden too soon. 

So what should you do?

Just keep waiting! The weather may be deceiving some days and some garden centers begin displaying plants earlier than safe for our Zone 5/6 but the truth is that the beginning of May is generally the safest time to add any hardy marginal aquatic plants to the pond in the Central, Pennsylvania (PA) area. At this point, they should be able to withstand the temperature change from night to day. In fact, the last Frost Spring Frost for the Lebanon area in Pennsylvania is scheduled for April 27 as per the Farmer's Almanac. BUT, alas, we like to be safe instead of sorry--so we push it an extra week. Be advised that tropical plants added at this time may suffer from the cold temperatures at night (i.e. they like to live in warmer climates--hence "Tropical").

Dreamscapes will have aquatic plants available the beginning of May--just in time for our 17th Annual Anniversary Sale (always Mother's Day weekend)! Seasonally Dreamscapes carries a large array of different hardy marginal plants, potted lily plants and some floating plants, too. For more information of the difference in plants, their benefits and purpose, catch up on our Aquatic Plant blog that was posted in 2016!

Keep in mind the key to a beautiful pond is most definitely in the diversity of the plants but also the layout that you plant them--see some ideas below! Or click here to read our 7 Tips for Planting your Pennsylvania Koi Pond blog!

For more specific information on plants and your pond, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]


Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania,

From colorful water lilies that dance on the pond’s surface to aquatic Forget-Me-Nots that hug the edges of your water garden, it’s the amazing pond plants that put the “garden” in “water garden.” You can apply many of the same tips and guidelines you use to create your terrestrial flower beds. Things like color, height, and planting conditions are things you’ll want to consider when it comes to naturalizing your pond with plants.

Know Your Plant Size. One of the biggest mistakes novice water gardeners make is knowing how big their chosen plants have the capacity to become in a few seasons. Be sure to take height and width of the mature plant into consideration and allow enough space for future growth.
Create Interest with Variety. Random placement of plants with different colors and textures will create more interest than using plants that have all the same growth habit or leaf shape. Consider how Mother Nature feels more random than anything else.
Group Plants Together. Remember to group like objects together will create visual impact.  Plant a row of marsh marigolds along a stretch of the ponds edge, as opposed to dotting them all around the pond in single locations.
Short in Front, Tall in Back. This might seem like a no-brainer, but in order to not lose the visual impact of plants, always put shorter plants in front of taller ones. Keep in mind where you generally view your pond from and plan your pond plantings from that place, whether your deck, patio or sunroom window.
Go Green. A soft, calming space is created by using different textures and shades of green foliage. The combination is effective on its own, but also looks great when accented by pops of colorful flowers. You can also play with color based on leaf selection alone, since you’ll find aquatic foliage in a range of colors such as red, purple, yellow, and several variegated combinations.
Consider Each Plant’s Needs. Be mindful of how much sun your aquatic plants require, along with their planting depth. If a plant requires full sun, that’s a minimum of 6 hours of unobstructed sun per day. If you’re not sure what your plant needs, ask the pro at your local garden center or search online for information.
Play with Colors. Choose colors you like best and consider the type of lighting your pond receives. Yellow, orange, and white help brighten shady areas, while cool blue and violet tone down the intensity of the sun’s rays.

Mimic-ing Mother Nature can be fun if you have experience or a guideline to follow. Variety is the spice of gardening life, so don’t be afraid to experiment … or follow our handy planting guides below! You’ll want to ensure an interesting mix of aquatic plant types for your water garden. Plant a few marginal at the pond’s edge, include colorful water lilies or even a lotus, add floating plants like water lettuce, and include submerged plants to help add oxygen to your pond.

Pond Size    Gallons of Water      Marginal Plants      Water Lillies
4x6                         300                         7                          1
8x11                       500                        11                          1
11x11                     700                        12                          2
11x16                   1000                        14                          2-3
16x16                   1500                        16                          3 
16x21                   2000                        17                          4

For more specific information on plants and your pond, please contact us directly!

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]


Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania, PA

What do you do when you possess all of the pond installing passion in the world, design ponds for a career and own a pond installation business? You build your absolute dream pond in your own backyard because where else are you able to enjoy a beautiful serene paradise the best?
That's right -- this is Dustin and Tara Stohler's pond!

Literally speaking, this pond is 25’x35’x3’ with a 20’ long and 10' wide waterfall.  The pond boasts crystal clear water, some really nice imported koi, and a pathway of floating steps. 

This pond is five years old and has been on the Dreamscapes Pond Tour multiple times... so you just might recognize it. But have you ever thought about what went into building it? 

Wetland filters are designed for larger ponds, as larger ponds are subject to a lot more sediment and an excess in nutrient build up around the water column. To work, this type of set up filters through the roots of bog and wetland plants in order to promote PRISTINE water quality on a level that is much higher than any other filtration system.

Steppers in ponds are great for a multitude of reasons from aesthetics to exploring opportunity...you absolutely can't go wrong with having steppers across your pond. Not only does it give you access to the other side (which comes in handing when the pond is large) but it also allows anyone who enjoys the pond a different type of up close experience to the ecosystem in that water. Dustin and Tara's son, Chase, loves to come out and sit on different parts of the steps to stick his feet in the water. Sometimes he even lays right down on his belly and sticks his face in the water, too.

For more information on koi pond installation for the Lebanon, Pennsylvania area, please contact us directly!

Located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Dreamscapes Watergardens installs and renovates koi fish ponds and pondless waterfalls (disappearing waterfalls) all over the Central Pennsylvania area. For more information on koi ponds and waterfeature installations, please contact us directly!

Dreamscapes also carries a full line of pond supplies from water treatments and fish medications to pond pumps, heaters, fountains, plants and fish! Tadpoles and snails are also available at our Aquatic Retail Center in Lebanon, Pennsylvania seasonally while supplies last from May-August.  If you think you need it, we have it!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]

Dreamscapes Watergardens services the city of Lebanon, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill, Cleona, Cornwall, Fredericksburg, Indiantown Gap, Jonestown, Kleinfeltersville, Mount Gretna, Myerstown, Newmanstown Palmyra, Quentin, Reistville, Richland, Schaefferstown of Pennsylvania

Plants are GREAT for your pond for multiple reasons:
1) They naturally filter for your pond water of harmful toxins
2) They provide shade from the sun, reducing algae growth
3) They provide some predator protection (such as heron)

Pond Plants make it necessary to blend your waterfeature waterfalls and streams into existing landscape. The bigger the pond, the more plants are needed in order to naturally keep up with the fish load. During the height of the pond season, approximately 40-60% of your Pond’s surface should be covered with plants. This helps shade the pond from direct sunlight, as direct sunlight promotes the growth of algae and increases the pond temperature, reducing the oxygen levels that are important for your pond fish!

Keep in mind that too many plants can create oxygen deficiencies at night when plants consume oxygen and give off carbon dioxide. Low oxygen levels can be harmful to your fish.

Waterlilies, water lettuce, and hyacinth are examples of aquatic plants that will cover the surface of your Pond, providing valuable shade from the sun and protection for your fish. The ever-popular hardy waterlilies grow up from the bottom of the pond with many shade-providing lily pads (and flowers) year after year. They are often considered the crown jewel of a watergarden due to it's beauty and come in varying colors. You may also be lucky enough to find frogs sun-bathing on the lily pads on a hot summer day.

Water lettuce and hyacinth, however, are great alternatives to water lilies, as they provide the same shade at a fraction of the price and multiply on their own. While hyacinth are known to bloom purple flowers, water lettuce does not flower and looks just like edible lettuce does. These two plants are free-floating, as their root base hangs freely in the water and trap dust particles and small debris in root base. They also die off when the temperature starts to drop in the September months.

Marginal plants are planted in the more shallow edges of your pond, typically 0"-6" deep. Aside of helping to soften the edges of your pond, marginal plans remove those harmful toxins through their established root base and are a vital component to your pond’s ecosystem. The more established a plant is, the more proactive it is at helping to maintain water balance in your pond.

Despite the unseasonably warmer temperatures this year, new aquatic pond plants should ONLY be planted after the frost warning has expired for the season and will be available at Dreamscapes Aquatic Center late-April this year. It is important to remember that adding tropical plants to your watergarden TOO early may result in the loss of those plants when temperatures drop at night. Contact Dreamscapes for aquatic plant availability!

Retail Hours:  April 5th-October 27th 2018:
                           Monday-Wednesday: By Appt
                           Thursday-Friday: 10am-5pm
                           Saturday: 9am-12pm
                     October 28th-April 2019: HOURS BY APPT


Contact Us
2155 State Route 343, Lebanon Pa | 717-272-6555 | [email protected]